Bond films

Tonight Robert is having a boys’ night and camaraderie to see Skyfall. A rare treat for him to see his mates.

I will not be at all sad. I shall be home mixing martinis and watching Goldfinger.

Sometimes one olive isn’t enough

There has been a lot of talk about martinis and Bond in the fifty years of Bond. From the allure of shaken not stirred, which no true aficionado would put up with, to the rise of the vodka martini which just taste like vermouth, to the creation featured in Casino Royale which first appeared in Ian Flemming’s novel of 1953. The Vesper is ‘Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?’

Kina Littet has been renamed and Gordon’s is no longer 47% proof but you could still make this version of the martini today.

Or you could try this which is my favourite way.

Everything must be super cold. The glass, the gin and lots of ice. Shaking is forbidden as it just introduces more of the melted ice into the drink, which to my mind defeats the purpose. Really good gin is essential. There are some great ones being made in New Zealand and in Perth at West Winds Gin. This varies according to your taste, or who you recently asked to bring back duty-free for you. Usually I drink Bombay although Tanquery 10 is great too.

There are many arguments about how dry a martini should be. I swing from just to the right of Winston Churchill who was said to whisper the word vermouth in the direction of the glass and possibly a bit to the left of Noel Coward who suggested waving a glass full of gin in the direction of Italy. There are also arguments about the kind of vermouth, French or Italian. For my money I like Noilly Prat. Good. Consistent. Reliable. Useful for other things.

The ratio in this establishment is probably 5 parts gin to 1 part vermouth, and that part is sloshed over the ice and then stirred and poured out. So in fact it is likely to be less than one part. A ‘measure’ will depend on the size of the glass used. It is the ratio that suits you that is the crucial point. Work that out then adjust volume according to glass.

martini ~ extra dry ~ if you please

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add one half measure of vermouth to the ice and stir. Then discard the vermouth.

Add five measures of gin and stir until everything is very very cold.

Strain using the shaker’s lid into a martini glass.

Garnish with green olive or a twist of lemon peel.

Enjoy. And remember that martinis are like nipples, one is too few and three is too many.

Celebrate the best of Bond here is the opening to Goldfinger, easily my favourite Bond ever. What’s not to like? Sean Connery , Shirley Bassey, Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore and great lines.